Beyond belief

The organisation of this event normally commences about October in preparation for the 42-mile moorland running event the following July, many man hours are expended by a handful of people over ten months.

On the actual day, 25 marshals from all over the country expend 150 man hours during the race, and drive in excess of 1,400 miles, a further dozen or so communications operators from Raynet (Home Office-approved emergency communications team) expend another 50 man hours and drive an unknown distance.

Some of these people are up well before dawn and don't get to bed until late in the evening, they do this so that 100 or so runners and walkers have an enjoyable event - as they have done for 40 years. Indeed, some have been involved from the start in 1964.

The application form, which has hardly altered in the past 20 years, very clearly explains what the event is, what applicants are to expect, and what is given.

The Lyke Wake Walk itself is almost ready to celebrate its golden jubilee, and most walkers in the UK are quite aware of what it entails, a fairly tough trip across the North York Moors. Obviously a race over the route is even more arduous.

So for people to enter an event, not to read or digest the information on the application form, and then fail to comprehend the very detailed information given to them on their pre-start instructions is beyond belief.

Each year we receive many personal thanks at each of the nine check-points, we receive public praise at the trophy presentation at the finish, and in the couple of weeks following the event we receive many e-mails and letters telling us how wonderful the event is.

This year we have received eight letters and 23 e-mails complimenting us on the efficient organisation and how enjoyable the event had been. Therefore, about a third of competitors contacted us to congratulate us on the efficiency of the event. Bearing in mind, statistically, complainers are more likely to make comment, I am more than pleased with the comments received. We have received no criticism, other than through your columns!

Some of the futile points raised in the criticism from a group of seven women, who evidently had no idea of what they were to endure, was to put it quite mildly extremely offensive to marshals and communications people.

To criticise safety issues is equally offensive, to worry about being shown as a "non-starter" at one check-point is laughable, she (No 14) was clearly shown on all checkpoint data returned to me as a starter, she had a tally card which had been punched at each check-point. For one communications message to go astray in over 1,000 transmissions is quite acceptable - life was not at risk!

Had there been any risk to competitors, both Scarborough and Cleveland rescue teams are aware that the event is taking place.

This same group obviously had little idea of what they were entering into, as the application forms had to be returned to them for clarification. They estimated they would complete the "race" in 11 hours, the maximum allowed is 12 hours. They were told to withdraw (as per the detailed instructions) when they had taken over 11 hours and still had ten miles to go.

It is understood they completed the "walk" in something over 14 hours - which is the current average time for most Lyke Wake Walkers, not racers.

It is unacceptable to expect race staff to man check-points until early evening to suit the whims of a minority group. They had been withdrawn; they were continuing at their own risk and were no longer the responsibility of the race officials, as per the published rules.

Other competitors were asked to retire. The majority of these accepted our advice and accepted transport to the finish, thereby remaining under our control.

A further annoying criticism raised in your columns is their reference to lack of hot food during the race and at the finish. The pre-start instructions explained what was supplied. Detailed research over the years, based on competitors' requests and on nutritional advice, is what we supply.

However, in future years we could charge a £45 entry fee and have a hot meal at the Raven Hall Hotel, and of course have a special team event for "Carpers & Whingers".

P A SHERWOOD

Race director.

Thirsk.

Eric will be back

Sir, - Spectator called for more editions of the walking series Out of Town and the architectural show Grundy's Wonders in his column (D&S, Aug 6).

I am happy to oblige on behalf of Tyne Tees Television! Out of Town with Eric Robson and his long-suffering Border terrier finishes its current six-week run on Friday nights on August 27. We have commissioned the production team to start work on a follow-up series in the autumn.

Meanwhile, John Grundy's hugely popular exploration of the region's landscape and buildings returns to Tyne Tees on Tuesday nights from November 9.

Your readers may also be pleased to learn that Luke Casey is back with a new run of the ever-popular The Dales Diary on Thursday evenings from September 2. All three series celebrate the distinctive characters, landscape and heritage of the North-East and North Yorkshire and have already been re-commissioned for next year. They are deliberately scheduled against EastEnders on BBC1 and attract a large "soap-avoiders" audience for ITV.

Finally, can I assure Spectator that his favourite TV canine, Raq, does indeed have a fan club. Raq's assistant Eric Robson answers all letters addressed to the star, care of Tyne Tees Television, City Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1, 2AL, or via Eric's book and video web site at www.stridingedge.com.

GRAEME THOMPSON

Managing director,

Tyne Tees Television.

Full to bursting

Sir, - Recent television and press reports have brought home to us all the terrible plight of the children and the people of Sudan. As a result, some of us in the village of Thornton le Street felt that we should try to do something to help the appeal fund.

A hastily organised Full English Saturday Breakfast was held in Thornton le Street Village Hall on July 31. We were overwhelmed at the response which enabled us to raise the magnificent total of £585.

Our thanks go to all who supported the event in any way and who made it possible for us to send off such a worthwhile donation which we hope will help, in some small way, the desperate situation in Sudan.

ISABEL S HUNTER

RENE BELLAS

The Old Coach House,

Thornton-le-Street,

Thirsk.